GREEN GRADS* in the NORTH at the GNCCF (Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair), Victoria Baths, Manchester, October 15-18
GREEN GRADS* in the NORTH at the GNCCF (Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair), Victoria Baths, Manchester, October 15-18.
“Go GREEN GRADS GO…”*
Returning for the fifth time to Manchester’s GNCCF (Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair) are the GREEN GRADS,** 20 of the brightest of the UK’s new wave of eco-activists who have just graduated from universities all over the country, from Falmouth to Glasgow. The Fair runs from Thursday October 15 (private view) to Sunday October 18 (closes 4pm).
GREEN GRADS in the NORTH are taking over the 46 “changing cubicles” with their distinctive framework of blue cast iron, that fringe the gallery of Pool C, in the splendid Victoria Baths, Manchester. There is also a shop, curated by Laura Wigham, GREEN GRAD of 2024, with exclusive arts and crafts by GREEN GRAD makers from previous years.
www.greengrads.co.uk @greengradsuk
https://www.greatnorthernevents.co.uk
In Manchester this year, each GREEN GRAD has two “changing cubicles” to tell their story. These intriguing little booths were at water level when Pool C was a swimming bath, one of three in this splendid complex, that made up Victoria Baths at the very beginning of the last century. Today, its art nouveau splendours remain: stained glass, mosaic floors and glossy green embossed wall tiles, adding elegance to the venue.
Not so fast
The GREEN GRADS highlight a broad spectrum of eco issues. Fast fashion gets a kicking through the punchy illustrations of Aida Solomon, who’s on the attack with her zaney zines and full-size cardboard cut-outs.
Biophilia
In contrast, other GREEN GRADS take nature as inspiration. See the restful textiles, papers, and printed mixed media of Blossom Evans and Samantha McGrath, who have been exploring biophilia. A major influence has been the influential American biologist, Edward O. Wilson, who published a definitive text in 1984, in which (very briefly) he proposed that all humans have a genetic connection to nature, which can increase wellbeing. Love of plants permeates the jewellery of Elinor Voytal, who embodies actual stems, seeds and flower heads in her delicate silverwork: “My necklaces are performative: gradually the seeds will fly away leaving a delicate skeleton.”
Hemp, leaves, mycelium and seeds
Emily Hawkins uncovers the ancient values of hemp, and has had hands-on experience at Contemporary Hempery, a Suffolk farm. She shows off the beauty, practicality and versatility of this age-old fibre with her woven mats to use outside. And to prove that fashion can indeed be circular, Freya Holmes has made a warm biodegradable waterproof jacket out of leaves and stems, with a wool lining. Emily Ford expands the artistic potential of mycelium, and Jasmin Robertson has shown the power of threatened strains of ancient Scottish seeds with an ambitious “garden” at Glasgow School of Art.
Do it NOW!
Henry Chantler passionately proposes low carbon manufacture and local materials for his stools, lamps and trays. “The grandchildren of young GREEN GRADs are not yet born. But what we do today will shape their world. We must reverse climate change NOW – not see it as a distant target.”
A sense of place
Many GREEN GRADS use local materials and “slow” considered ways of making to champion their immediate environment. Lydia Greaves has gathered wild clay from the Gower Peninsula in South Wales for wheel-thrown vessels with emotive textures created by saggar firing grasses, shells, driftwood and seaweed.
South Wales has also affected Ellie Gummery, who went to local woodlands through the seasons and carefully pictured the changing vegetation. Her drawings adorning cups and plates seek to reconnect their users with nature. And crucially with each other: Community is the name of her collection
“Community” is also the concern of textile designer Imogen Fraser-Williams. Inspired by allotments, community gardens and the local landscape, her textiles promote circularity and slow living, using natural dyes, reclaimed materials and traditional crafts. Jessyka McGraw has patterned intricate wallpapers that portray the native flora, local myths and the character of the Lake District. “I am showing the value of land, heritage and lasting connection.”
War on waste
Protests against waste are varied. Textile artist Grace Challoner garners her materials from scrap and charity shops. Using a wide variety of techniques, these are fashioned meticulously into dolls and accessories, in her own inimitable style of whimsy and kitsch. Lucy Harman haunts scrap yards, charity shops and garages to collect all kinds of discarded metal. These inspire fabulous fabrications: a bird with feathers of cutlery, a spider with a watch for a body. Boyu Jade Jiang shows how the bark from a single a single Paper Mulberry tree can yield five different materials to complete a stool: “traditional crafts have many environmental lessons for us,” she says.
Colour and dye
Working with natural natural dyes,Meg Connor has added algae and bacteria to better-known botanical sources. And what can you get from a single dye bath? A lot more than you might think. Besides its original purpose, Rachel Byrne has dramatically extended ts colour agency into lake pigments, art media, print and knitted textiles.
Agit pot
In the hands of potter Thora Talling, platters, tiles and vessels pictorially reveal vivid stories of threatened wildlife and habitats, with QR codes linking to more information and petitions. The effect is emotional and appealing And Jean White, illustrator and avid bird watcher, is showing “Birds on the Edge.” Here beautifully embossed post in Parian clay feature species threatened with extinction.
**Set up in 2021, GREEN GRADS is platform supporting new UK graduates “with ideas to heal the planet.” Its founder Barbara Chandler was awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours June 2026 “We do shows, run a website and YouTube channel, host smaller events and happening and generally nurture and promote our GREEN GRADS,” she says.
“Go Green Grads Go” was just one comment on the recent GREEN GRADS crowdfunder which recently raised £5,350 from 79 supporters. Over half the contributors were GREEN GRADS making the venture community funded to a large part.
@greengradsuk
*GREEN GRADS is a platform for new graduates with ideas to heal the planet.
*Special Thanks to Fespa and Epson for their ongoing sponsorship, with an ear for Eco Textiles and of course: Anglepoise, Another Country, Benchmark, Camira, Case Furniture, Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, Heal’s, Informare, Ercol, Imageco, Little Red Rooster, Naturalmat, Nick Munro, Planit-ie, PriestmanGoode, Prinfab, SCP, Tom Faulkner, Urge Collective, Viaduct, Zetteler PR, Ufurnish, Futon Company, Soho Lighting.
The 2027 FESPA Awards are now open for entry, and the message to businesses across textiles, apparel, interiors and beyond is simple: your work deserves recognition. Every gold winner featured here started in the same place every entrant does - with a project they believed was worth submitting.
As the only independent awards programme with 18 categories dedicated to print and signage, FESPA offers a genuinely global stage, with shortlisted entries displayed at FESPA Global Print Expo in Spring 2027.
Colour Is Too Important to Leave to Chance
Print will always be the part of the garment people see first.
But the sum of all parts — the fabric, the trims, the fasteners, the finish — is what determines whether a design actually delivers on its promise. Brands that continue to treat colour as a single creative decision, rather than a coordinated technical discipline spanning their entire supply chain, will keep paying for it in re-dips, delays, and disappointed design teams.
A Century of Textiles, and an Ever-changing World
Few companies can trace their roots back more than a century and still count themselves among their industry's innovators. Texia, headquartered in Monistrol de Montserrat, Spain, is one of them.
But the story of Texia is not simply one of longevity.
It is a story of continual reinvention. As the textile industry has grown more global and competitive, Texia has repeatedly reshaped its business, investing in technology, developing its own brands, and placing sustainability at the centre of its mission. In doing so, it offers a compelling example of how a heritage manufacturer can lead rather than follow through a period of profound industry change. Image Credit: Texia
What are we craving Ultimately?
The instinct to slow down while simultaneously optimising every measurable aspect of life isn't a passing curiosity. It's a structural response to a world that feels increasingly unstable, and it's reshaping what people expect from their homes, hotels, workplaces and healthcare environments alike.
For the design and manufacturing sectors, this means rethinking both product and process.
The Structual Shift is Real and its Already Here
Volumes are moving east, where digital production is accelerating rapidly. Consumer behaviour has shifted.
Demand is now driven by personalisation, shorter buying cycles, and an expectation of near-instant responsiveness. Regulatory pressure is intensifying, with supply chain transparency now a legal and commercial fact in many markets. And margins? They are under sustained, structural pressure.
This is not a temporary disruption. It is a fundamental reordering of how textile manufacturing must operate.
The Challenge: Standing Firm as the Industry Shifts
The wallpaper landscape has changed dramatically. Digital printing has lowered the barrier to entry, spawning countless direct-to-consumer brands and pushing much of the market towards faster, cheaper production.
At the same time, manufacturing in the UK has grown steadily harder - rising minimum wage, national insurance, energy and substrate costs all bear down on margins. Surface Print have embraced all of these challenges - and stand resolutely prepared for the future.
From Helsinki's printing mill to Paris's Le Marais, discover how Marimekko is scaling a design-led brand with purpose, craft, and bold innovation.
But what makes Marimekko's story compelling is not just its aesthetic legacy?
The word "toxic" carries weight. It conjures danger, harm, and things best avoided.
“Yet in the textile industry - Where between 3,000 and 10,000 chemicals move through the supply chain, a reflexive fear of the term is one of our biggest obstacles to progress.”
This article distils the key takeaways and what buyers, designers, and brands should be asking right now.
What Is the Digital Product Passport?
At its core, a Digital Product Passport is a digital record attached to a physical product - For a printed textile product, this means the DPP would capture data on the substrate, inks and dyes used, the printing process and technology, chemical compliance, environmental impact (including water and energy use), supply chain traceability, and end-of-life instructions.
Klagenfurt - Austria – October 2026– Zimmer Austria, a global leader in textile printing and coating solutions, will be at IGATEX Pakistan 2026, one of the region's premier textile machinery exhibitions.
The company will exhibit its latest digital printing, screen printing, and coating technologies from 15–18 October 2026, at Hall 2, Booth F-2-09, in Karachi, Pakistan
Returning for the fifth time to Manchester’s GNCCF (Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair) are the GREEN GRADS,** 20 of the brightest of the UK’s new wave of eco-activists who have just graduated from universities all over the country, from Falmouth to Glasgow. The Fair runs from Thursday October 15 (private view) to Sunday October 18 (closes 4pm).
GREEN GRADS in the NORTH are taking over the 46 “changing cubicles” with their distinctive framework of blue cast iron, that fringe the gallery of Pool C, in the splendid Victoria Baths, Manchester. There is also a shop, curated by Laura Wigham, GREEN GRAD of 2024, with exclusive arts and crafts by GREEN GRAD makers from previous years.
Crewe, Cheshire – October 6th 2026 – Hybrid Services Ltd, the UK and Ireland distributor for Mimaki, has announced three dedicated demo days at its Crewe showroom, giving businesses a further opportunity to see the latest Mimaki machines in action.
Running from Tuesday 13th to Thursday 15th October, the drop-in sessions follow the machines' debut at The Print Show 2026 at the NEC Birmingham and are designed for those who missed the event, or want more time to explore the technology at their own pace.
Chesterfield, UK – October 2026 – Resolute DTF, a leading provider of direct-to-film printing solutions, has concluded its participation in The Print Show, last week, with an overwhelmingly positive response from attendees.
The event gave the company an opportunity to showcase its latest innovations in DTF and UV DTF printing technology to print businesses from across the industry.
Visitors to the Resolute DTF stand were given hands-on access to the company's expanding product range, including its R-JET PRO DTF and UVi-3D UV DTF printers, alongside its portfolio of inks, films, and finishing equipment.
Capurso, Italy – October - 2026 – Agfa Inkjet Solutions today announced that Digibux Print, an Italian digital print specialist, has invested in the Jeti Bronco H3300 HS, a 3.3-metre wide-format hybrid UV LED inkjet printer.
The investment marks a significant step in Digibux Print's evolution from digital print specialist to industrial production powerhouse, as the company expands its production capabilities to meet changing customer demands.
London, UK – 25 September 2026 – Sanderson Design Group PLC (AIM: SDG), the luxury interior furnishings group, today announced a 10-year licensing agreement with Dunelm for Designers Guild, the luxury interiors brand acquired by Dunelm in April 2025.
Under the Agreement, Sanderson Design Group has been granted the sole licence to design, manufacture and sell Designers Guild wallpapers, fabrics and paint worldwide.
The Agreement grants Sanderson Design Group access to Designers Guild's extensive archive design library, alongside the opportunity to create new designs under the brand, in exchange for a royalty fee paid to Dunelm
Zoetermeer - Netherlands - October 2026 – Papergraphics has announced that its Netherlands branch is now an accredited partner for Canon printers, bringing the acclaimed GP and PRO series to Dutch customers for the first time.
The accreditation builds on Papergraphics' long-standing Canon partnership in the UK, extending the same calibre of large-format printing hardware to the Dutch market.
Neuss – Germany – October 2026 – B-FLEX Italia has announced a partnership with Epson Deutschland GmbH to showcase the future of direct-to-film printing at the Epson Production Days event in October.
The collaboration will bring B-FLEX's DTF film and hot-melt powder together with Epson's SureColor G9000 printer in live, twin-roll demonstrations designed to show how materials and machinery combine to maximise both quality and output in real production settings
Las Vegas – NV – October 2026 – Greentex, a leading supplier of sustainable textiles for apparel, home goods and sportswear, successfully concluded its participation at Printing United 2026, where the company connected with customers, partners and industry professionals to showcase its latest eco-conscious fabric solutions.
The event brought together key players across the printing and textile industries, offering Greentex the opportunity to demonstrate how sustainable materials can meet the rigorous demands of modern digital printing and textile customisation.
Attendees had the chance to see live demonstrations of Greentex's fabric offerings, including its recycled polyester and BCI cotton ranges, both designed to reduce environmental impact without compromising on performance or quality.
Birmingham – UK – October 2026 – China Print Supplies UK Ltd has concluded a successful three-day exhibition at The Sign Show, where the company showcased its latest range of printers, cutting tables, and equipment bundles to industry professionals and visitors.
Throughout the event, the China Print Supplies UK team engaged with attendees, delivered live demonstrations of its machinery, and discussed how its growing product range can help signage and print businesses stay ahead in an increasingly competitive and sustainability-conscious market.
“We were thrilled with the turnout and engagement at this year's Sign Show. Conversations with visitors reinforced the direction we're taking as a business — one that puts innovation and responsible manufacturing at the forefront," said China Print Supplies UK Ltd.
Dorking – UK – October 2026 – FESPA has announced that its 2027 edition in Munich will bring together five specialist events into a single destination, offering exhibitors an unprecedented opportunity to reach audiences spanning print, signage, merchandising, wrapping and textiles.
The consolidated event reflects the increasingly interconnected nature of the speciality print and signage industries, where brands and suppliers are seeking more efficient ways to engage with buyers across multiple disciplines.
By combining five dedicated events, FESPA 2027 will enable exhibitors to showcase their offerings to a broader and more diverse audience, all within one venue
Leicester, UK – October 2026 – De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) will open a landmark exhibition celebrating the work of fashion icon Dame Zandra Rhodes, following her decision to donate a significant part of her personal archive to the university.
Zandra Rhodes: Archive Unfolded will showcase highlights from a donation spanning six decades of Rhodes' career, from 1964 to 2025, featuring thousands of objects including licensed work, press cuttings, film, opera material and colour transparencies.
The gift follows Dame Zandra's Honorary Doctorate of the Arts from DMU in 2023, when she announced her intention to place a key part of her archive with the university's Special Collections.
London, UK – September 2026 – ARTS THREAD hosted an in-person judging event for its Global Creative Graduate Showcase at the Zaha Hadid Gallery, Barbican, bringing together industry judges to evaluate the next generation of creative talent.
The event also marked the introduction of the ARTS THREAD Vault, a new initiative set to shape how creative work is archived and accessed.
The gathering reflects ARTS THREAD's ongoing commitment to supporting emerging creatives as they transition from education into industry, while also advancing the infrastructure that underpins creative recognition and opportunity on a global scale.
SOUTH NORMANTON, UK – October 2026 – Sun Chemical has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable innovation with the continued development of its Streamline™ aqueous ink solutions, as the graphics industry accelerates its transition towards water-based technology.
The shift comes amid rising demand for printing solutions that reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, minimise odour, and deliver vibrant, high-performance colour
Madrid, Spain – October 2026 – Roland DG, a global leader in digital printing and visual communication technology, is looking forward to its participation in C!Print Madrid 2027, taking place from 12 to 14 January 2027.
The company will present its evolving ecosystem of printing, automation, and branding solutions under its new positioning, "Make Your Mark," reflecting a shift from machine supplier to value-creation partner for brands and professionals across Europe.
Leicester, UK – October 2026 – VeriVide Limited, a leading provider of colour assessment and quality control solutions, today announced that it will take to the stage at the AATCC International Summit in Wilmington, United States, to present on the evolving landscape of colour evaluation technology.
Stephen Tongue and Chris Hipps, representing VeriVide, will deliver a session titled "Evolution of Visual and Digital Evaluation Tools for Color Assessment, Fastness Grading, and Stain Analysis."
The presentation will examine how colour evaluation practices have developed over time, exploring the enduring role of visual assessment alongside the growing adoption of digital tools for fastness grading and stain analysis.
October 1st 2026– Soyang Europe has announced the appointment of Colin Werrett as Senior Business Development Manager within its Hardware Team.
The appointment reflects Soyang's continued commitment to strengthening its expertise as the business scales to meet the evolving demands of the print and graphics industry.
Werrett brings 32 years of experience in print and graphics to the role, joining at a pivotal moment as Soyang continues to expand its Hardware division.
He will report directly to Andy Webb, Commercial Director, and will work closely with the wider Hardware Team to drive business development and support the company's growth strategy.
Mönchengladbach - Germany – October 2026 – Trützschler Card Clothing (TCC) has expanded its regional service network across Peru, Colombia and Ecuador, giving customers in the Andean region direct access to faster support, shorter lead times and local technical expertise.
The move underscores Trützschler's long-term commitment to the textile and nonwovens industries of South America, strengthening its presence in markets where quality and productivity remain top priorities
Birmingham, UK – October 1st 2026 – Vivid Laminating Technologies Ltd has announced the sale of a 3.2m Veloblade Nexus to GES – Global Experience Specialists, sealed on the final day of The Print Show at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC).
The machine will be delivered to GES's site, located less than a mile from the show, tomorrow.
The sale marks the fourth Veloblade Nexus purchased by GES, underscoring the company's continued confidence in Vivid's laminating and finishing technology as it scales its large-format print operations.
HP has launched the HP Latex R530 AI Printer, the first compact, all-in-one rigid and flexible large-format printer powered by cloud and edge AI.
Designed to transform production environments, the new printer aims to help businesses simplify operations and grow profits through intelligent automation.
The HP Latex R530 AI Printer brings together intelligence at both the printer level and across the broader workflow.
By embedding AI capabilities directly into the device and connecting it to cloud-based tools, HP says the printer is built to reduce manual decision-making and support more predictable, consistent results for print operators.
Manchester, UK – September 2026 – Source Fashion, Fashion-Enter and the Apparel and Textile Manufacturers' Forum (ATMF) have announced the launch of Made in Manchester & Regions, a new roadshow event bringing together brands, retailers and UK manufacturers to build the commercial case for localised production.
The event will take place at Manchester Hall on 4 November 2026, and is free to attend.
The first in a new programme of regional roadshows, Made in Manchester & Regions will give buyers, brands and retailers the opportunity to meet UK manufacturers, explore local production capabilities, and consider how sourcing closer to home could benefit their businesses.
Industry stakeholders will also come together to address the future of UK manufacturing and identify practical steps to strengthen the sector
Birmingham – September 2026 – Epson UK on Day Two of The Print Show, where the company is showcasing a range of print technologies, including its new SureColor V4000 UV Flatbed printer. T
he event provides a platform for Epson to demonstrate the growing capabilities of UV print alongside its established textile solutions.
Epson UK's presence at The Print Show highlights the company's continued investment in expanding its product range beyond textile printing, into high-quality UV flatbed technology.
The SureColor V4000 has been designed to deliver sharp, vibrant results across a variety of substrates, reinforcing Epson's commitment to versatility and innovation across the print industry.
Frankfurt am Main, Germany – 30 September 2026 – Heimtextil has announced that architect and designer Patricia Urquiola will once again bring her distinctive vision to the Trend Space at Heimtextil 2027, marking the third consecutive year of her collaboration with the fair.
Building on her acclaimed "Bambi" sculpture, Urquiola will unveil two new pieces created specifically for the 2027 edition, expanding her hybrid silver creature into a family of three.
The presentation forms part of the Heimtextil Trends 27/28, "Home-Maxxing – The Performance of Everyday Living", curated by Alcova, and will be on display in the Trend Space from 12 to 15 January 2027
Birmingham, UK – 29 September 2026 – Agfa Inkjet Solutions today opened three days of exhibiting at The Print Show 2026, held at the NEC Birmingham, where the company is demonstrating a complete wide-format production environment designed to boost productivity, efficiency, and application versatility for print businesses.
Visitors to Stand P510 in Hall 1 can see the Anapurna Cierva H3200 in action, seamlessly switching between rigid and roll media
Birmingham – UK – September 2026 – Hybrid Services Ltd, the official Mimaki distributor for the UK and Ireland, has today announced the launch of the new Mimaki UJF200-6042, a UV flatbed printer designed to elevate personalisation and custom printing to new levels of quality and efficiency.
The announcement was made at The Print Show 2026, where the printer is now on display at Stand P400.
Hanover, Germany – September 2026 – ColorGATE, a global provider of colour management and RIP software for digital printing, is reminding print producers of the importance of safeguarding their production environments against unexpected technical issues, device challenges, and downtime.
The company is highlighting its Value Pack programme, an annual software maintenance and support agreement designed to keep printing workflows running smoothly.
Milan, Italy – September 2026 – B-FLEX ITALIA, a global hub for garment decoration, has announced it will present its integrated DTF and thermoadhesive technology ecosystem at VISCOM Italy 2026.
The event will take place on 28 and 29 October at Allianz MiCo, with B-FLEX ITALIA exhibiting at Booth L22.
September 28th 2026 – Time is running out to secure a place at tomorrow's live presentation of the Brother GTX300, where industry experts will showcase the printer's capabilities in real time.
Registration closes shortly, offering one final opportunity for professionals to gain firsthand insight into this innovative print technology.
The session will give attendees an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the GTX300, exploring what sets it apart in an increasingly competitive market
Birmingham – UK – September 2026 – Douglas Stewart EDU will showcase CorelDRAW Graphics Suite at The Print Show this year, bringing print professionals face-to-face with design technology aimed at improving efficiency and reducing waste across production workflows.
The move comes as new research from CorelDRAW, conducted in partnership with NAPCO Research, reveals the growing role graphic design software plays in the print industry.
The survey of 200 print professionals found that 83% had seen increased efficiency in prepress as a result of using design software, while 59% had specifically invested in upgraded solutions to improve production efficiency.
Birmingham – September 2026 – Nova Chrome UK Limited will showcase the brand new Epson SC-F300 A3 Dye Sublimation Printer at The Print Show next week, giving visitors a first-hand look at the future of dedicated sublimation printing.
The demonstration will take place on stand P240 throughout the event.
As the print industry continues to evolve, Nova Chrome remains committed to bringing forward the technologies that will define its next chapter.